Bible Stories: Job’s Tests

Job was unaware of the conversation in Heaven between God and Satan, but one day soon after this his oldest son had invited all his brothers and sisters to his home for a feast. Job was sitting alone when a messenger appeared, very excited with a sad story to tell. “The oxen were ploughing and the donkeys were feeding beside them when a band of men from the east came on a raiding party. They took all the animals away and killed all the servants. I am the only one who escaped.”

Before he had finished speaking, another servant arrived very much out of breath. He said, “Fire fell from Heaven and burned up all the sheep and the shepherds, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

Before he had finished giving his message, another servant came running in. He said, three bands of robbers came and took all the camels and killed all the servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

Then another messenger hurried in with the saddest message of all. “Your sons and daughters were having a feast in the oldest son’s house when a great windstorm came and blew down the house. Everyone in it was killed. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

When Job heard all this he did not complain and accuse God of being unkind. He got up and tore his clothes as people did then to show sorrow. Then he shaved his head which was another sign to show his sorrow. He fell down on his knees and worshiped God. He said, “I came into the world without anything and I will go out of it without anything: blessed be the name of the Lord.”

He did not say, “The Lord gave and the robbers have taken it away.” He knew that they could not have taken anything from him unless God had allowed it.

As Job was worshiping God here on earth, we will see what was taking place in Heaven. Again Satan came with his angels to present himself before God. God said to him, “Have you seen my servant Job? He has not turned against Me as you said he would do, but he worships and trusts Me.” Satan said, “Yes, but if You touched his body, he would curse You.” God said to him, “He is in your hands and you may test him. But you shall not take his life.” Satan could not do anything against Job until God gave him permission.

Job did not know what was going on in Heaven. God had said that Job was the best man on the earth. If Satan could make him turn against God, then there would not be one true, faithful servant of God on the earth. Job did not know that all the angels were watching as well as Satan and his wicked angels to see who would win.

After Satan went from God’s presence this time, he smote Job with sore boils from his feet to the crown of his head. Even one boils makes a person miserable. Job’s body was covered with them, and he could not be comfortable in any position. There was no one to care for him and nurse him in this sickness. His children were dead. His wife was bitter and unkind. She said, “Why don’t you curse God and die? You have nothing to live for now. Why don’t you take your own life?”

Job told her she was foolish to talk that way, for God had given them many good things, He was still the same loving God. Job now had no money to pay a doctor or a nurse, and none of his neighbours who he had helped in the past came near him. He sat down among the soft wood ashes and took a piece of broken pottery to scrape or scratch his itching sores.